7 Ways To Stop Your Newsfeed From Psychologically Destroying You

The last two weeks have been awful when it comes to the content that has been coming across my newsfeed. The news got from bad to worse day by day and it was impossible not to get affected by it.

Every single day, we are being hit hard by vile imagery and stories about all kinds of tragedies happening all around the world, from earthquakes and floods to terroristic attacks.

But isn’t our life already stressful enough so as to make it even more difficult by absorbing all kinds of devastating news on a daily basis?

Don’t we all care about the world we live in and want to make it a better place?

Well, the truth is that our lives will hardly get less stressful and we’ll hardly make positive changes in the world if we’re being constantly exposed to disturbing, tragic, or traumatizing news.

Yes, bad things happen around us every day, but that doesn’t mean that we have to allow that to destroy us mentally and emotionally.

So, here are 7 ways to stop your newsfeed from psychologically destroying you:

1. Stick to your daily routines.

No matter how sad or tragic news you come across, your life shouldn’t be affected so much that you begin to break your usual routines.

Give your body everything it needs to function properly – eat healthy food, get enough quality sleep, exercise regularly, and, of course, don’t forget to have fun.

2. Make a distinction between being immersed and being informed.

Just because you want to know what’s going on in the world, it doesn’t mean you have to be immersed into your Facebook or Twitter feed 24/7.  

Don’t bother to read every news that pops up in front of you and don’t just focus on the dramatic, tragic news. Instead, take a break from all the information you encounter every day and focus more on the good news.

3. Feel all the feelings.

Don’t suppress the negative feelings. Instead, let them flow through your body. And don’t dwell on them, too, because this will leave you less prepared to handle problems or connect with others.

Remember that feelings come and go – they don’t define who you are.

4. Don’t be passive – take action.

Regardless of how much the situation appears out of your control, you can always act somehow. And you don’t have to do anything huge. Even a small action, such as making a donation, writing a letter, or taking part in a get-together in the place where you live can bring about a big change.

Remember that feeling powerless and remaining passive fuel anxiety and I’m sure this is something you don’t want to go through.

5. Stay optimistic.

Obsessing about things that are beyond your control is like a poison to your mind. So, instead of focusing on things you can’t control or fix, focus on what you can.

Increase your levels of positive emotions and energy by spending time with people you love and that make you happy and doing things that bring you a sense of joy and fulfillment.

Remember, maintaining your sense of optimism enables you to create more opportunities while pessimism prevents you from it.

6. Reach out to others.

Don’t withdraw into yourself but connect with other people with whom you share a concern about what is happening in your town, country, and the world.

Talk to people whom you know may be going through a rough time now, especially those who belong to marginalized or vulnerable communities. Offer them your help and support and let them know that you as well as many others care about them.

7. Talk to your children too.

Don’t allow sad, traumatizing news to destroy the pure, innocent image they have of the world. Don’t let bad news make them fear the world.

Instead, talk with them about their fears or whatever is bothering them and spark their compassion. Support their dreams and envision together a better world.